THE SIGN OF GOD’S EMPOWERING – LOVE
Love is the confirming sign that we have been empowered by God’s Spirit. It is the ultimate “fruit” (the highest good deed)! It is gold! John 13:35 vindicates this:
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love [Agape] one to another.
KJV
Agape is the “sign” that the sanctification process (seeking for the salvation of the soul) is working. As in 1 Corinthians 13:2 it says, “If we have not Agape, we are nothing.” A believer filled with God’s love has exchanged life with Christ. He has partaken of and is sharing Christ’s abundant Life. And, he is learning to overcome (seeking for the salvation of his soul).
Agape Love is the greatest gift of all! (1 Corinthians 13:13).
God wants His Agape Love to operate in every segment of our lives. He says that all of his commandments will be fulfilled in just one word – Love which is the governing law of grace. But, again, the process of sanctification is the only thing that will produce this kind of Love in our lives.
Then, 1 John 4:17 tells us that “we can have boldness in the day of judgment, because as He is [Agape], so are we in this world.”
Those that genuinely love God and love others will inherit the kingdom. These are the ones who have acquired “righteous deeds” (fruit) done by the power of the Holy Spirit in them. The will not only be approved at the judgment seat of Christ, but they will have on the appropriate wedding garment to qualify them for the marriage festivities.
To sum it all up: The salvation of the spirit – our being born again – is only the beginning. This must be followed by the salvation of the soul – being sanctified – which is what matters at the judgment seat of Christ. The Christian walk, that lifelong process of change called sanctification, implemented by God’s resurrection power and shown forth by His Love; that will eventually lead to the salvation of the body - when we see Christ.
Eph 3:20
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
KJV
Love is the confirming sign that we have been empowered by God’s Spirit. It is the ultimate “fruit” (the highest good deed)! It is gold! John 13:35 vindicates this:
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love [Agape] one to another.
KJV
Agape is the “sign” that the sanctification process (seeking for the salvation of the soul) is working. As in 1 Corinthians 13:2 it says, “If we have not Agape, we are nothing.” A believer filled with God’s love has exchanged life with Christ. He has partaken of and is sharing Christ’s abundant Life. And, he is learning to overcome (seeking for the salvation of his soul).
Agape Love is the greatest gift of all! (1 Corinthians 13:13).
God wants His Agape Love to operate in every segment of our lives. He says that all of his commandments will be fulfilled in just one word – Love which is the governing law of grace. But, again, the process of sanctification is the only thing that will produce this kind of Love in our lives.
Then, 1 John 4:17 tells us that “we can have boldness in the day of judgment, because as He is [Agape], so are we in this world.”
Those that genuinely love God and love others will inherit the kingdom. These are the ones who have acquired “righteous deeds” (fruit) done by the power of the Holy Spirit in them. The will not only be approved at the judgment seat of Christ, but they will have on the appropriate wedding garment to qualify them for the marriage festivities.
To sum it all up: The salvation of the spirit – our being born again – is only the beginning. This must be followed by the salvation of the soul – being sanctified – which is what matters at the judgment seat of Christ. The Christian walk, that lifelong process of change called sanctification, implemented by God’s resurrection power and shown forth by His Love; that will eventually lead to the salvation of the body - when we see Christ.
Eph 3:20
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
KJV
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